Signs That You May Be Suffering from PCOS

Polycystic ovarian syndrome, commonly abbreviated as PCOS, is a hormonal problem that affects around ten million women in the US. Every woman who reaches puberty will start to experience a menstrual cycle, but some women remain undiagnosed because of the wide variation in what is considered to be normal and not a real cause for concern.

So, what are the signs you might be suffering from PCOS?

Irregular Periods

They might not come according to a regular schedule, or they get skipped completely because the woman never ovulated that month.

Weight Gain

Around 50% of women with PCOS are obese or struggle with their weight.

Fatigue, Tiredness

Fatigue can be described as feeling run down and tired even after you have rested and not been exerting yourself strenuously.

Sleep Disorders

Many women with PCOS report sleep disorders such as insomnia - that is, not being able to fall asleep. They might also have a poor quality of sleep and struggle to stay asleep. One other sleep disorder that has been linked to sleep issues is a condition known as sleep apnea.

With sleep apnea, the person stops breathing for a few seconds at a time, causing them to partially wake, so they never achieve deeper levels of sleep. Over time, this will lead to lack of oxygen, and fatigue. Sleep apnea is common in obese people, so this might be the reason it is also common in women with PCOS.

Mood Changes

PCOS increases the likelihood of mood swings, depression, and anxiety. It could be from tiredness due to lack of sleep, and/or it could be hormones. If you noticed your moods tend to be like a rollercoaster, especially at certain stages of your cycle, it could be PCOS.

Headaches

Hormonal changes can trigger headaches, and in particular, migraine headaches. Migraines can be so severe that the person is unable to function. Far more women than men suffer from migraines, so we are pretty certain they are hormonally linked.

Hairiness (Hirsutism)

Women with hormonal imbalances such as PCOS will often grow excess body hair - including legs, arms, underarms, and even back, chest, belly, fingers and toes. Most embarrassing of all is excess facial hair, such as a beard and/or moustache.

Thinning Hair on the Head

Hair can often seem to grow on the body every place except where you want it to, the top of your head. Women with PCOS can start to lose their hair in middle age in a similar manner to men.

Acne and Other Skin Changes

You can get pimples, scaly or dark patches of skin, and more.

Pelvic Pain

The pain may occur during your periods, and your flow may be heavy. It can also occur throughout the month.

Infertility

PCOS is a leading cause of female infertility, though it varies from woman to woman. However, not every woman with PCOS is the same. Although some women may need the assistance of fertility drugs, this does not apply to everyone who has PCOS.

If you have been experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s time to consider going to the doctor to determine if you have PCOS.